Abstract

We study numerically the mode locking dynamics of synchronously-pumped KC1:T1°(1) and LiF:F₂ colour-centre laser in Fabry-Perot and ring configurations. The pulse evolutions of each laser type, which are strongly perturbed by stochastic forcing due to the presence of spontaneous emission noise, are similar whether the lasers are configured in Fabry-Perot or unidirectional ring geometries. However, their pulse optimisation conditions are different, and, whereas it is possible to minimise the noise-induced, phase-wave fluctuations in T1°(1), without degradation in pulse quality, it appears to be much more difficult, if not impossible in F. In addition, we show that each of the corresponding bidirectional ring lasers exhibits a narrow region of spontaneous unidirectional lasing action, bounded by regions of stochastically driven, competitive, bidirectional pulsing.

© 1992 IQEC